Punta cana to Las terrenas

robbie · #1 09-18-2007, 04:26 PM

Is it possible to do a day trip, if we rent a car, from Punta Cana to Las terrenas? How long does it take to drive? or would we have to spend the the night in Las terrenas? Las Terrenas looks beautiful!!!

Squat · #2 09-18-2007, 05:38 PM

Take a plane...

robbie · #3 09-18-2007, 11:30 PM

That far? I'll look into it , thanks. I'd like to find a good map.

Hillbilly · #4 09-19-2007, 07:24 AM

No. Flying is your only alternative to a very long and very tiring drive.

Do take the opportunity to visit Las Terrenas on your next trip.

HB

Rocky · #5 09-19-2007, 07:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by robbie

That far? I'll look into it , thanks. I'd like to find a good map.

Samana Packages
You can PM me your email address for a good map.

mountainfrog · #6 09-19-2007, 10:10 AM

A day trip to LT from PC by car is not possible, the driving would take the whole day.
I also recommend to fly and even stay in LT for at least one night (as has been suggested).
You can rent a vehicle (SUV or ATV) locally or get a car with a driver.
The other option would be to go to Sabana de la Mar (by guagua) and take the ferry (no cars!) across the bay to Samaná (Santa Barbara).
Arrangements could be made to have you picked up at the pier and start your excursion there.
You'd have to set out very early though in order to reach the last ferry in the morning (at 11 a.m. if I remember correctly) and regard the journey as 'getting-to-know-the-country' trip...

m'frog

Renate · #7 10-01-2007, 06:11 AM

Quote:

You can rent a vehicle (SUV or ATV) locally or get a car with a driver

mountainfrog, may I ask you for tips where we could get a car with a driver in LT? What are the average costs for a car (2 persons) with a driver for one/two days, just for getting around locally in Samana?

We're planning the same trip as robbie descibed, from PC to LT (but to stay in LT for one week, march 2008), and still didn't decide whether we'll take a car from PC for the whole trip, or we'll better take the plane and locally rent a car with a driver in LT.

Thanks in advance!

Hillbilly · #8 10-01-2007, 06:47 AM

A lot will depend on whether you want to "get to know the country" or not.

Rental cars are not the solution we generally recommend to first time drivers in the DR. Just too many potential issues.

Personally, I would recommend the flight to LT. It's only a half hour flight, so you are not wasting a lot of your vacation time stalled in traffic. And you can get a car and driver there in Lss Terrenas.

The other suggestion--the ferry--is for adventurous folks. But it is very picturesque, you get to mingle with the real people, and it isn't that much of a hassle..really.

So, flip a coin, make the decision and enjoy....I sort of envy your options, and I live here!!!

HB

Renate · #9 10-01-2007, 10:02 AM

Hillbilly, thanks for your suggestions!

Yes, we want to get to know the country (I've been taking lessions in Spanish since last year, hope that will help). I've been to Sosua last year, and took the trip to LT 2 times with a minibus. Next year we'd like to spend a week in LT to get to know LT as well as Samana.

May I ask you to give some more informations about the potential issues when driving on our own? As I did the trip Sosua - Sanchez two times with a bus in july, 2006, my impression was that dominican drivers pass other cars, where non-dominicans probably wouldn't take the risk, but on the other hand, I didn't consider their driving style as principally dangerous/aggressive; they just seem to expect that everybody has to get out of their way, when they pass other cars - when I did the trip there was no problem about that (wide road, few cars). Do you think those impressions are realistic, or far too positive?
Another question, how serious is the situation with drunken drivers?

Renate

Janin · #10 10-02-2007, 09:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Renate

mountainfrog, may I ask you for tips where we could get a car with a driver in LT? What are the average costs for a car (2 persons) with a driver for one/two days, just for getting around locally in Samana?

If it's only for one or two days again I'd recommend a chauffeur driven car. Thus you'll enjoy the trip much more and you are not RESPONSIBLE for whatever happens in your excursion...
As for prices it would very much depend on the type of vehicle (sedan, SUV, Minibus, etc.) and the owner's (taxidriver) personal charges.

I also sent you a PM.

Janin